Ward's comments in Tampa

[Midwest]

Really too bad it had to end up like this:

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/safety-tj-ward-irritated-with-broncos-but-pleased-to-join-bucs/2336252

"You know, it's unfortunate the way they handled that situation," Ward said Monday. "They got to live with it. I got to live with it and we'll see what happens, but I'm going to make sure I land on my feet. That's just me. And whatever happens to them, happens to them. That's on them.

"I mean you could've let me know what's going on. You had a full offseason. I know it's a business, but when you have good employees, you're supposed to treat your employees a certain way. I think they just handled it completely unprofessional. That's just how I feel."

[Murph2432]

Really too bad it had to end up like this:

http://www.tampabay.com/sports/football/bucs/safety-tj-ward-irritated-with-broncos-but-pleased-to-join-bucs/2336252

"You know, it's unfortunate the way they handled that situation," Ward said Monday. "They got to live with it. I got to live with it and we'll see what happens, but I'm going to make sure I land on my feet. That's just me. And whatever happens to them, happens to them. That's on them.

"I mean you could've let me know what's going on. You had a full offseason. I know it's a business, but when you have good employees, you're supposed to treat your employees a certain way. I think they just handled it completely unprofessional. That's just how I feel."

I actually agree with him on this. I understand any player can be shipped at any moment and that's the business you're in. But one of the heart and soul of the defense and someone that helped you win a Super Bowl I think deserved a little more warning/ respect than 2-3 days before.

[beastlyskronk]

The players should have the mindset that you can be cut at any moment, to expect otherwise shows complacency and theres no room for that in the NFL

[gerontion]

I actually agree with him on this. I understand any player can be shipped at any moment and that's the business you're in. But one of the heart and soul of the defense and someone that helped you win a Super Bowl I think deserved a little more warning/ respect than 2-3 days before.

The same thing has happened to players far better and more important than Ward. Joe Montana was shown the door because there was a younger, healthier, and better player available.

[dizzolve]

I actually agree with him on this. I understand any player can be shipped at any moment and that's the business you're in. But one of the heart and soul of the defense and someone that helped you win a Super Bowl I think deserved a little more warning/ respect than 2-3 days before.

Who knows when the Broncos knew this was going to happen. Maybe they had to see Simmons play in preseason before they could be sure. Maybe it didn't even dawn on them until preseason shaped up the way it did. The NFL is a business. The players of all people shouldn't get too attached to any club....... not to the point that they're blaming the franchise like he is.

He's an emotional guy. He knows better than to honestly think that ANY NFL team is going to make decisions based on emotion.

He should know better than to react this way. I just think it comes with the territory with a guy like Ward.

He posted such a nice message on Twitter that completely contradicts these sentiments that it's hard to take any of it too seriously.

I bet in 6 months or a season or 2, he'll regret saying negative stuff. I bet he'll even want to retire a Bronco when it's all said and done.

[#87Birdman]

Who knows when the Broncos knew this was going to happen. Maybe they had to see Simmons play in preseason before they could be sure. Maybe it didn't even dawn on them until preseason shaped up the way it did. The NFL is a business. The players of all people shouldn't get too attached to any club....... not to the point that they're blaming the franchise like he is.

He's an emotional guy. He knows better than to honestly think that ANY NFL team is going to make decisions based on emotion.

He should know better than to react this way. I just think it comes with the territory with a guy like Ward.

He posted such a nice message on Twitter that completely contradicts these sentiments that it's hard to take any of it too seriously.

I bet in 6 months or a season or 2, he'll regret saying negative stuff. I bet he'll even want to retire a Bronco when it's all said and done.

On your fist point I think that is key. Ward spent most the preseason hurt and Simmons and park half plenty of time to show how much they improved in their second year.

I doubt Elway and company thought ward was going to be cut before the preseason and the youth stepped up when he was hurt.

Sucks to lose his leadership but he wasn't the best in coverage and made stupid mistakes like body slamming someone after the whistle. I hope he continues to do well in Tampa but hoping our young guys do better and the no fly zone continues to improve.

[TD30*]

eh. he's an emotional person, hence how he played and how his teamates talk about him. of course he's going to react to something like this emotionally.

Logically, the broncos wanted to keep it as quiet as possible that they were willing to cut him because they wanted to try and get something for him. Didnt work so they had to cut him (I have my reservations about cutting him, but that's off topic)

But that's just his personality and its probably what helped him get to where he got

is what it is

[Sam_Z]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty I saw Darien Stewart move over to TJs spot while Simmons filled in for Stewart at strong safety.

The two overachieved and the FO liked what they saw. It was an improvement to say the least, hence why they decided to part ways with Ward. It is not something they saw coming into the preseason.

[BroncoNTemecula]

All in all it's probably best for TJ also. If he spends the year as a backup player his chances to sign a 2-3 year deal in free agency is seriously diminished.

Tampa is a playoff contender and if Ward stays healthy and plays all year he'll go into free agency on an upside and should be able to make another 10-15 million playing.

[Bterres105]

Robert Ayers' tweet didn't sit well with me, either. Dude was a huge bust and expected the royal treatment.

[dizzolve]

Robert Ayers' tweet didn't sit well with me, either. Dude was a huge bust and expected the royal treatment.

Really ....... we drafted him in the 1st didn't we? What's he got to complain about

OH ...... maybe JMD was in the mix back then - or ... I can't remember

[Murph2432]

I have a feeling Elway and Co. knew the moment after they talked about extensions. I highly doubt a couple days before you cut him was the first time they thought about getting rid of him.

I don't care if this has happened to far better players before. I want Denver to be know as the Team all players want to come and play for. Even though every team does this, we are the team in the news right now being talked about negatively, about being "unprofessional", and not treating their employees better.

You can hear it in his voice during the Tampa interview that he was hurt by this and loved it here in Denver.

But hey, this is just my opinion.

[captainbronco]

I loved tj ward was bummed to see him leave. With that being said no one is safe. Peyton manning the legend was let go because there was a younger at the time cheaper option than PFM

[maaskesr]

If the Broncos say anything, then his trade value tanks, because teams know they can wait it out and just pick him up. That's what happened anyway (because the news DID get out), so it looks even worse. But the Broncos would be criticized if they had released him 1 week into camp for not trying to get something for him.

[GiddyupGetEm]

Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty I saw Darien Stewart move over to TJs spot while Simmons filled in for Stewart at strong safety.

The two overachieved and the FO liked what they saw. It was an improvement to say the least, hence why they decided to part ways with Ward. It is not something they saw coming into the preseason.

If Simmons outperforms TJ, let Joseph and Woods make the call for Simmons to start. If you think you have a surplus of good safeties, get something for TJ, even a conditional pick since he is on his final year. You don't cut a pro bowler for a few million in cap savings.

I think there is more to it that will come out in months to come.